Matthew 26:4

Consulted. Their first serious consultation about Jesus had occurred two years previously (John 5:16; DA 213). Another such session had been held more recently, immediately after the raising of Lazarus (DA 558; John 11:47-53). The consultation of Matt. 26:4 was apparently held on the Saturday night preceding the crucifixion (see on v. 3), and another followed on Tuesday morning (DA 593).

By subtilty. Especially since the resurrection of Lazarus, the increasing popularity of Jesus filled the Jewish leaders with fear (DA 558). Events of the first few days of the crucifixion week served only to intensify the feeling of the people that in Jesus the nation had found the Leader of whom the prophets had spoken, and the Pharisees exclaimed in genuine perplexity, “Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him” (John 12:19; DA 570, 572, 590, 594). A crisis was imminent, and unless they could dispose of Him, their own fall appeared certain. They felt that they must act swiftly and secretly. Furthermore, a popular uprising in support of Jesus as Messiah-King (see DA 558, 570-572, 590) would certainly bring down the oppressive might of Rome even more firmly upon the nation. On the other hand, to seize Jesus openly might spark a popular uprising in His favor.